The Turf Publicists of America announced Nov. 25 that the 2024 Big Sport of Turfdom award will be presented to trainer Ken McPeek. The annual award recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.
In 2024, McPeek became only the third trainer in history to earn victories in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in the same year, scoring with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna.
Following her victory in the Kentucky Oaks, Thorpedo Anna went on to achieve Grade 1 wins in the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course, the Cotillion at Parx Racing, and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar Racetrack where she completed her phenomenal 3-year-old season.
“Ken and his team have had an outstanding year with multiple triumphs on not only our sport’s biggest stage in the Kentucky Derby but also in additional Grade 1 victories across the country with Thorpedo Anna’s phenomenal campaign,” TPA President Najja Thompson said. “He is most deserving of this award chosen by our membership for always being welcoming and open to the media and a great ambassador for our industry and sport.”
The Big Sport of Turfdom award will be presented to McPeek at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s annual awards luncheon on Dec. 10. The luncheon is part of the 2024 Global Symposium on Racing at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
“I am honored and humbled to be given this award,” said McPeek. “I have loved horse racing ever since I was a young boy. I am proud to continue to promote our great sport.”
McPeek was born in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, to parents Ann and Ron McPeek, while his father served in the 101st Airborne Division, McPeek was raised in Lexington, Kentucky.
He became interested in racing when his father entered Thoroughbred ownership. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in business administration, he obtained his trainer’s license when his father asked him to condition his runners. He earned his first victory as a trainer with Final Destroyer at River Downs in October 1985.
Since then, McPeek has become one of the most successful conditioners and bloodstock agents in Thoroughbred racing. He has won over 2,000 races and amassed more than $130 million in career earnings. His achievements include American Classic victories before this year with Sarava in the 2002 Belmont Stakes and filly Swiss Skydiver in the 2020 Preakness stakes. In addition to training and purchasing horses at sales as a bloodstock agent including two-time Horse of the Year Curlin as a Yearling, McPeek developed the Horse Races NOW app, and owns and operates Magdalena Farm in Lexington, KY.
The Big Sport of Turfdom has been presented annually since 1966. This is the second time McPeek has won the award. He previously was honored in 2002.
Previous winners include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro and Gary Stevens; trainers Art Sherman, D. Wayne Lukas and Jack Van Berg; and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport, such as Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, a two-time winner; announcer Tom Durkin, author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, Turf writer Joe Hirsch and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.
A complete list of past Big Sport of Turfdom winners can be found online at http://www.turfpublicists.com/awards.html.
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